Here are the key points from the press conference and political developments:
- PML-N and PPP have reached a consensus to share power and form the next government.
- Shehbaz Sharif nominated as the candidate for Prime Minister, while Asif Ali Zardari will be the joint candidate for President.
- PPP will not join the federal cabinet; PML-N to get the National Assembly speaker slot, while PPP will have its deputy speaker.
- Senate chairmanship to go to PPP; deputy chairman to come from PML-N.
- Governorships in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab to go to PPP.
- PML-N and PPP to jointly form a government in Balochistan.
- Sarfaraz Bugti is likely the contender for the CMship in Balochistan.
- The first session of the National Assembly must be summoned by Feb 29.
- NA speaker and deputy speaker will be elected through a secret ballot.
- New speaker will announce the schedule for the election of the PM.
- Presidential election to follow the election of the PM.
- PML-N and allied parties were ready to sit on the opposition benches if PTI formed government.
- PPP did not ask for ministries in the federal cabinet.
- The fate of the PML-N is uncertain if PPP joins PTI to move a no-trust motion against Shehbaz Sharif.
These developments pave the way for a power-sharing arrangement between PML-N and PPP in the upcoming government formation process.